Pioneers top Highlanders in OT

By Steve Farley CORRESPONDENT

Friday

Feb 29, 2008 at 2:26 AM

Doherty’s John Genkos made the biggest shot of his three-year career, but St. John’s imposing 6-foot-9 junior center Matt LaBove kept making shots, and that’s why the fifth-seeded Pioneers are heading to WPI on Sunday for a Central Mass. Division 1 semifinal against top-seeded Fitchburg.

LaBove scored 16 points, including what turned out to be the winning three-point play with 15.2 seconds left in overtime, leading St. John’s to a 69-66 win over the fourth-seeded Highlanders in a standing room only crowd at Worcester Tech.

St. John’s (18-6) edged Shrewsbury, 82-81, in overtime in a first-round game Tuesday night.

Doherty, which trailed, 59-52, with 1:29 left in regulation before nearly pulling off a memorable comeback, finished 15-6.

“It doesn’t matter as long as we win,” LaBove said. “We love it. We just love close games. We just toughened up (in overtime). We never get tired. Coach (Bob Foley) always says to keep your chin up and that you have the rest of the spring to rest up.

“We made the plays when we needed to make them,” LaBove added. “We know what to do at the end. We’re going to WPI. We definitely have confidence now.”

St. John’s, which never trailed during regulation, led, 60-57, with 17.5 seconds to play and had a chance to seal it, but freshman Richard Rodgers, who had a team-high 18 points off the bench, missed two free throws. Genkos, who struggled to find his shot last night, buried an off-balance 3 from the baseline with 6 seconds left in regulation.

The Pioneers had an opportunity to win, but turned the ball over on a traveling violation at the buzzer.

“This was the first time I had a chance to win a (tournament) game like that,” said Genkos, who dropped in 16 points. “It was the best thing I’ve ever done. I would’ve felt better if we came out with a ‘W’.

“To lose in overtime is heartbreaking,” Genkos added. “Our goal at the beginning of the season was to go to WPI. We thought we had a legitimate shot because Division 1 is wide open this year. I love the seniors. I wish I could’ve won it for them.”

St. John’s, which defeated Doherty three times this season, will try to avoid a three-game sweep against the Red Raiders.

“Each (game) is exciting in its own way,” St. John’s coach Bob Foley said. “We did what we had to do to win. Everything is overtime. It’s a tribute to these kids. You look out there on that court, and you see a freshman shooting free throws and sophomores out there playing.”

In overtime, St. John’s scored, hitting one of two free throws to take a 61-60 lead with 3:51 to play. The Highlanders had an opportunity to tie or take the lead, but Yawin Smallwood missed both his free throws with 3:34 left.

LaBove again got to the foul line with 2:06 remaining and hit one of two free throws to boost St. John’s lead to 62-60. Doherty had a chance to tie the game 9 seconds later, but Tijean Pluverge missed both his free-throw attempts. Despite the misses, the Highlanders never quit and took its first lead of the game on back-to-back baskets by Marquis Rose.

Rose (game-high 25 points) put the Highlanders on top, 64-62, converting a layup off a steal with 1:14 left. Just when the Doherty faithful thought it just might pull it out, sophomore guard David White drilled a 3 to give St. John’s a 65-64 lead with 56 seconds left. The Highlanders regained the lead, 66-65, on two free throws by Tekena Omoegbekuse with 32.1 seconds remaining.

Coming off a St. John’s timeout, LaBove got the ball in the post, worked his defender and kissed a shot off the glass as he got fouled. His three-point play with 15.2 seconds gave the Pioneers a 68-66 lead.

Genkos missed on Doherty’s next possession. Brendan Russell sealed it with a free throw to account for the final score.

“We just never gave up,” Doherty coach Ed Capstick said. “We had a shot at it. We played everyone tough, and that’s a tribute to these guys.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.